Maria BellisCounselling and Psychotherapy

Welcome to my web site. I am Maria Bellis - I work with people who want to improve how they feel when they experience sadness, anxiety, frustration, dissatisfaction or overwhelm about various issues in their lives.

Whether from relational or family issues, grief or loss, work pressures, past trauma, low self confidence, or other causes, you may want someone to listen and understand your feelings and experiences whilst supporting you to find ways to move forward. 

I am an accredited Counsellor and Gestalt Psychotherapist in South Bristol- experienced in working with a variety of issues.  I work Face to Face, online or via telephone in the UK. I can work long term with multiple or complex  issues or short term on a focused issue. We can discuss what you need at a first session. 

Psychotherapy and Counselling is often helpful to gain understanding of the ways to feel good about yourself or your life, to find healing and recovery from a past or present experience, or to develope ways that work better for you in life and relationships. Often people resolve their own issues through self reflection and exploring different avenues, and sometimes may have tried counselling before. If you feel your efforts have not brought the results you want, working with a Counsellor/ Psychotherapist is about supporting you to create the change you want. Through this safe working relationship, you increase your awareness about who you are, how you function in your world and how you relate with others. 

You do not have to have a complex issue or ‘need therapy’ to work with me as psychotherapy can work on many levels whether short or long term. If you are new to counselling and therapy, I focus on what you want to get from it.  Some people may have gained an understanding of their issues already but choose to work deeper and more focused because they want to move on from feeling stuck or being in repeated patterns.You decide what you need and we go at your pace.

I am a Senior Accredited Registrant Counsellor (NCPS) and Gestalt Psychotherapist (UKCP) (see More About Me page). You can contact me, without obligation, if you would like to get an idea of how I can work with you to resolve your issues. See What to do next below..

Finding A Way

Life has a habit of sending us the unexpected or personally challenging, leading to questions, self-doubt or uncertainty. I work in partnership with you on your journey to increase clarity, build resilience and widen choices.

I work with individuals on many levels with a variety of issues and complexity. I have been in private practice for over ten years. I also have over 30 years knowledge gained from listening to many life stories and experiences as an adult care social worker (More About Me).

• Low self-esteem and self-confidence
• Anxiety, low mood or depression
  
• Negative Thinking or Self-Doubt
• Bereavment or Loss
  
• Coping with difficulties in relationships
• Coping with Stress
  
• Dealing with abuse experiences in childhood or adulthood
• Changing negative behaviours
  
• Trauma
• Work related stresses
  
• Alcohol related issues
• Uncertainty about your life
  
• Issues arising from health matters
• Many other issues
  
  If you would like some basic information there are some free downloads on my information page.
  Mind also lists Bristol organisations offering specialist or low cost counselling.

   

What is Gestalt Psychotherapy?

Gestalt Therapists believe that people are born with the resources and ability to lead satisfying and creative lives but that life experiences may interrupt this process. We may learn ways that do not satisfy us or feel difficulty in coping with certain issues. We often consider our relationship with ourselves and with others- what hinders and what facilitates a better relationship. By increasing your awareness, resolving any 'unfinished business' and re-framing any negative or self-limited thinking, you can respond to challenges by finding ways that work better for you and support how you manage life.

I find change can be very rewarding though sometimes not easy. Sometimes we may have to look at ourselves more deeply or challenge ourselves about how we relate to the world. But it should always be our choice how much we do this. 

What to do next?

 I welcome enquiries as I understand the importance of finding the right therapist for you. Reading my Finding A Way blog will give you some idea about how I work.

The next step would be for us to set up an initial session to clarify what you want and give you a sense of how I work. You can then decide whether to set up ongoing sessions or have more time to reflect.

• You can e-mail me, text or call and leave a message. 
• Please give me brief details about what you want from counselling or psychotherapy and ask any questions (Click here to E mail me.).
• My sessions are on  Tuesdays and Thursdays. 
• It helps if you specify what time and day you are wanting. I can let you know if anything is available.
• My sessions are £50. The first introductory session is £30.
• All of my contact is confidential and I will try to get back to you within 24 hours.
• We can then set up an initial session.
• You can choose to work online, face to face or a mix of the two. I use zoom for online work. I practice counselling and psychotherapy in south Bristol in Whitchurch, near Knowle, Hengrove, Stockwood and Brislington. There are several local buses 2, 376, 36, 515 and I am near the main roads of Wells Rd (A37), Bath Rd (A4) and Airport Rd. There is plenty of free on street parking.
• I am a member of a local network of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (CAPPP) in Bristol and the wider area to which I can refer for specific needs (anonymously) if you want help with your search.
  
  
  

  "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
  Goethe.